Devoted Employee Gives Back to Loma Linda

Georgia Hodgkin has made a gift to Loma Linda University in her estate plan. Georgia has been a University employee since 1978.

By James Ponder

To say that Georgia Hodgkin inhabits a very busy world is a bit like noting that windmills tend to go ‘round and ‘round.

“During the school year, I come in at 7:00 a.m., and tend to leave around 7:00 p.m.,” says Georgia.

Georgia has been something of an institution at Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions since she first checked in to the organization back in 1978. Her current title—associate chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics—barely hints at the size and scope of her responsibilities, or her influence on the world of nutrition.

Perhaps the most prolific author in the school’s history, Georgia has written upwards of a dozen chapters in popular books on vegetarian nutrition—including the second and third editions of Pediatric Nutrition in Chronic Diseases and Developmental Disorders, published by Oxford Press, and the eighth and ninth editions of Fundamentals of Respiratory Care by Mosby Publishers. She has also edited many other publications including volumes II and III of the popular “Apple a Day” vegetarian cookbook, which has sold more than 40,000 copies. In addition, she has participated in dozens of research studies related to nutrition and health.

One of the highlights of her career occurred a few years ago when she got a call from a prominent pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital asking permission to quote from the diet manual she edited for the SDA Dietetics Association. “Certainly you can quote our book,” she told him. She has subsequently been recognized as a world authority on vegetarian nutrition since the fifth edition of the Pediatric Nutrition Handbook was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2003.

Back in March 1997, Hodgkin organized Loma Linda University’s presentation on “the Adventist advantage” at the third annual International Conference on Vegetarian Nutrition, which was held here on campus.

“The California Food Guide had never acknowledged protein from anything but meat,” Georgia recalls. “They asked Loma Linda University to contribute a chapter on vegetarian nutrition. I wrote it. They were also looking for groups of people to do demonstrations on vegetarian nutrition.” Apparently, they asked the right person.

The hyperkinetic Hodgkin shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Currently in her 39th year at the school, Georgia teaches a number of popular classes, assists students with career decisions and advocates tirelessly for nutritional accountability. Last year, when popular nutritionist Joel Fuhrman, MD, lectured on nutrition at Loma Linda University Church, Georgia and her students attended the event and dissected his every statement in class the following day. She later contributed a rebuttal of many of his claims in an article published on the campus news website.

Despite how impossible it may seem for anyone who maintains such a time-consuming and vigorous career, Georgia also enjoys an active personal life.

As she contemplates the future, Georgia sees retirement coming up “one of these days.” No definite plans now, but the overachieving octogenarian with the laconic wit will probably find plenty of things to occupy her time. It would hardly be appropriate for someone with her native North Dakotan worth ethic to just sit around doing nothing.

“I ought to do gardening,” she says. “My poor plants are gasping for water. They’ve not only turned brown, they’ve turned black! I live in a house across the street from a vigorous gardener. There are really gorgeous plants in his yard, but it doesn’t seem to have rubbed off on me.”

The other thing Georgia has been thinking about lately as she contemplates the future is how she can leave a legacy at the school she loves with all her heart.

“My vision since 1978 has been to have a wood base with a crystal Swarovski apple sitting on my desk,” she jokes. “But actually, the university is in my will. When I die, the university will get a gift.”

“Future gifts are important, and they make a significant impact—no matter the size,” Todd says. These types of gifts help ensure that we’ll be able to continue serving students and patients for years to come.”

If you are interested in exploring ways to support programs of Loma Linda University Health, you are invited to contact the Office of Planned Giving by phone at (909) 558-4553, or by email at legacy@llu.edu.

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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Loma Linda University Health a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Loma Linda University Health, a nonprofit corporation currently located at (LegalAddress), or its successor thereto, ______________* [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Loma Linda or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Loma Linda as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Loma Linda as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Loma Linda where you agree to make a gift to Loma Linda and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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